HONG KONG.- Sotheby's Hong Kong presents its Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite Spring Sale 2011. Taking place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on Wednesday, 6 April, the sale will highlight an array of fiery red gems led by a rare 27.67-carat Bulgari Burmese Ruby, jewels of stunning innovation and timeless classics, as well as an important selection of diamonds, gemstones and jadeite of exceptional quality. The sale will offer 329 lots, with an estimated value in excess of HK$470 million / US$60 million*.

QUEK Chin Yeow, Deputy Chairman and Head of Jewellery Department, Sotheby's Asia, said, “Sotheby’s bHong Kong is proud to present this April one of the most significant jewels and jadeite auctions ever, offering a kaleidoscope of superlative jewels and gemstones of the most coveted quality and market rarity to true connoisseurs. Featuring the best of a wide spectrum of jewels available in today’s market, this auction provides a colourful variety for Asian and global collectors who have discerning taste for truly exceptional gems - from the finest 23.19-carat Brazilian Cat’s-Eye Alexandrite, an array of stunning coloured diamonds, the most regal jadeite pieces, to a range of timeless classics by renowned European jewellers vis-a-vis a selection of modern jewels by Asian designers. The top lot of this sale - a pair of DIF Diamond Pendent Earrings totalling 36.48 carats by Harry Winston - also graces this season with its sparkling brilliance and feminine elegance.

“We are also pleased to introduce a Red Sale which comprises an extraordinary and sensual selection of the finest Mogok Rubies of impressive quality and an extremely rare 1.92-carat VS2 Fancy Red Diamond, together which will undoubtedly spur intense bidding amongst international collectors.”

RED SALE
Auction offerings of pink, blue and yellow diamonds have made headlines around the world in 2010. Red diamonds, however, remain an extreme rarity in the market. This season Sotheby’s Hong Kong curates a special Red Sale captivating a selection of red gems of excellent quality, led by an Exceptional and Extremely Rare 1.92-carat VS2 Fancy Red Diamond Ring (Est. HK$20 - 24 million / US$2.5 - 3 million). Among the most unusual and rarest colour in diamonds, the red hue is caused by unique features within the diamonds’ crystal lattice interspersed with small amounts of nitrogen. Few specimens of red diamonds exist in the world, most of SI or below in clarity and rarely exceed 1 carat in weight. Boasting a straight fancy red colour without modifying hues, an impressive 1.92-carat size and extremely rare VS2 clarity, this will be the pride of true coloured diamond connoisseurs.

The Red Sale also brings together highly coveted rubies, including an Important 27.67-carat Burmese Ruby and Diamond Ring, Bulgari (Est. HK$12 - 20 million / US$1.5 - 2.5 million). Burma is well-known for its rubies of intense fiery colour and the present one - of the most desirable “pigeon’s blood” red colour - is the largest gem-quality unheated Burmese ruby from the legendary mines of Mogok famous for producing the world’s best rubies to appear at auction in recent years. Rubies exceeding 10 carats without thermal enhancement, such as the present fiery gem, are of extreme rarity in the market and are literally irreplaceable as the mines no longer produce rubies of such a significant size and quality. This ruby ring is complemented by a Very Fine Burmese Ruby and Diamond Necklace, and Pair of Matching Pendent Earrings, totalling 29 rubies weighing 75.56 carats (Est. HK$11 - 15 million / US$1.4 - 1.9 million). All rubies in the suite are from the fabled mines of Mogok, well-matched and of extremely fine quality, with consistent and saturated pigeon’s blood colour - the most desirable colour in rubies - as well as great clarity and lively brilliance.

MAGNIFICENT DIAMONDS
This season Sotheby’s is pleased to offer a range of diamonds of extremely rare colours and quality, highly sought after by true connoisseurs. The top lot of the sale is an important and impressive Pair of Diamond Pendent Earrings totalling 36.48 carats, Harry Winston (Est. HK$32 - 38 million / US$4.1 - 4.8 million), each suspending a pear-shaped diamond weighing over 14 carats, surmounted by an oval diamond weighing 4.01 carats, all of the highest-graded D colour and Internally Flawless clarity. A stunning combination of extraordinary quality, striking proportions and classic beauty, set to stir intense bidding among jewellery connoisseurs. Following the success of an auspicious pair of 10.88-carat DColour Unmounted Flawless Round Diamonds, which achieved World Record Price Per carat For Any Round White Diamonds at HK$37.62 million / US$4,823,077 (US$221,649 per carat) in Sotheby’s Hong Kong Spring Sale 2010, this sale also presents a 25.50-carat Brilliant-Cut Unmounted D-Colour Flawless Diamond (Est. HK$30 - 38 million / US$3.8 - 4.8 million). Attaining the highest grading in all attributes - the most desirable Dcolour, Flawless clarity, Excellent Cut, Polish and Symmetry (Triple Excellent), and Type IIa chemical purity indicating exceptional optical transparency - this gem is the epitome of natural perfection.

Apart from the extremely rare 1.92-carat Fancy Red Diamond (see P. 2), the sale also highlights a 12.72-carat Pear-shaped Internally Flawless Fancy Pink Diamond and Diamond Ring, Nirav Modi (Est. HK$25 - 32 million / US$3.2 - 4 million). Centring on a Type IIa Fancy Pink Diamond of perfect pear-shaped outline and set to a shank with Endless-cut (see P.5) diamonds together weighing approximately 5 carats, this is a true gem of outstanding design, quality and size. Pink diamonds achieved great success at auctions worldwide in 2010, nevertheless specimens of Internally Flawless clarity, such as the present example, remain extremely rare. Also highlighted in the sale is a 25.26- carat Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond and Diamond Ring (Est. HK$13 - 16 million / US$1.7-2 million), a regal gem of impressive size, golden Fancy Vivid Yellow colour and VS1 clarity. Another extraordinary offering as rare as the red diamond is a 1.13 carat Fancy Vivid Yellowish Green Diamond Ring (Est. HK$4 - 4.5 million / US$500,000 -580,000). Green diamonds are extremely rare and this present one is of an exquisite shade of green.

COLOURED GEMSTONES
This season highlights a kaleidoscope of coloured gemstones of exceptional quality, led by a wondrous natural treasure, a 23.19-carat Brazilian Cat’s-eye Alexandrite, Alexandrite and Diamond Ring (Est. HK$10 - 12 million / US$1.3 - 1.6 million). Displaying a strong colour change - reddish purple in incandescent light and bluish green in daylight - combined with a well-centred and pronounced chatoyancy (or cat’s-eye effect), the gem is extremely unusual and the finest to exist in the current market in terms of both quality and size.

Other natural gemstones include a 29.20-carat Burmese Sapphire and Diamond Ring (Est. HK$3.2 - 4.7 million / US$400,000 - 600,000) and a fine Pair of 9.10 and 8.56-carat Burmese Sapphire and Diamond earrings (Est. HK$1.5 - 1.8 million / US$190,000 - 230,000), both natural, unheated and of noble “Royal Blue”, the most desirable colour in Burmese sapphires. A well matched pair of 10.73 and 9.52-carat Columbian Emerald and Diamond Pendent Earrings (Est. HK$6.3 - 7.8 million / US$800,000 - 1 million) that boasts natural untreated Columbian emeralds of superior colour, uncommon clarity and well-proportioned cut and are also an extremely rare treasure.

BRILLIANT CREATIVITY & TIMELESS CLASSICS
Jewellery has long been considered a form of wearable art. This sale brings together a variety of jewels of fascinating innovation in design and craftsmanship as well as delightful branded classics.

Creative Design
Highlighted in the sale are gems of Chinese and Chinese inspired jewellery design, including a Unique 7.31-carat Cushion-shaped F-Colour Diamond, Amethyst and Pink Sapphire Ring, Wallace Chan (Est. HK$650,000 -$900,000 / US$85,000 -120,000). Renowned Hong Kong contemporary jeweller Wallace Chan is a celebrated pioneer in titanium jewellery. Modelled as a delicate blooming flower, his creation centres on a 7.31-carat diamond, surrounded by carved amethyst and titanium petals set with diamonds and pink sapphires. Undoubtedly a masterpiece in three-dimensional sculptural jewellery design, this ring is a fabulous example of the jewellery designer’s marvellous craftsmanship and artistic pursuit. Other Wallace Chan creations on offer include a Red Spinel Ring and a pair of Diamond and Ruby Pendent Earrings. Another highly sculptural piece is a Diamond and Gem-set “Azalea” Solstice Cuff, Cindy Chao (Est. HK$1.2 - 1.5 million / US$150,000 - 190,000). Centring on a 7.02-carat Fancy Light Yellow Diamond, the bangle is modelled as a blooming azalea and adorned diamonds and gemstones of over 30 colours, together weighing approximately 124 carats.

Apart from creations of independent jewellers, Sotheby’s Hong Kong is pleased to announce the worldwide debut of the Endless Cut (patent pending), a revolutionary diamond cutting and setting technique introduced by talented Indian jewellery designer Nirav Modi. Complemented by a special “Enigma setting”, Endless Cut diamonds form a seamless, uninterrupted curve with all visible surfaces covered with diamonds, which are exposed to the maximum, unhindered by clasps and claws to optimise lustre and radiance. As the Enigma setting requires diamonds of a particular shape substantially different from ordinary diamond cuts, approximately only one out of 1,000 rough diamonds possess the specific proportions that qualify it for Endless Cutting and Enigma setting. The result is an endless ring of brilliance never known to the world before. Without beginning or end, this infinite ring of diamonds aptly captures the eternity of any cherished moment in life, and the infinity of life itself. It is best manifested in rings, bangles, hoop earrings or other pieces of circular shape, such as the Endless-cut Diamond Bangle, Nirav Modi (Est. HK$470,000 - 600,000 / US$60,000 - 80,000), altogether weighing approximately 16.80 carats.

Classic Elegance
On top of innovative modern designs, the sale brings together classic period jewels of impeccable workmanship from the most prestigious jewellers of the world, including a Burmese Ruby and Diamond “Foliage” Bracelet, Van Cleef & Arpels, circa 1959 (Est. HK$3.2 - 3.8 million / US$400,000 - 480,000). Comprising natural and unheated Burmese rubies together weighing approximately 29.60 carats and diamonds totalling approximately 20 carats, mounted on a lithe and graceful bracelet that curls naturally around the wearer’s wrist, the piece exemplifies the extraordinary artistry and style of an era. Another important piece by the famed jeweller is a Diamond Bracelet, Van Cleef & Arpels (Est. HK$16 - 20 million / US$2 - 2.5 million). Composed of 11 emerald-cut D to E colour, Flawless to VVS2 clarity diamonds together weighing 43.70 carats and complemented by marquise-shaped diamonds, this bracelet is an excellent example of simple elegance and superb quality offered by the jeweller. The sale also highlights a charming Art Deco creation - A Kashmir Sapphire and Diamond Clip Brooch, Cartier London (Est. HK$400,000 - 480,000 / US$50,000 - 60,000), which centres on a 3.04-carat hexagonal natural unheated Kashmir sapphire, surrounded by sapphires totalling approximately 7.50 carats. Crafted in elegant Art Deco style typical of the brand, the gem will make a delightful addition to any sophisticated jewellery collection.

Another jewel of classic elegance is a delightful Chinese-inspired suite by celebrated American jewellery designer Carvin French - an Impressive Jadeite “Huaigu”, Ruby and Diamond Necklace, and Pair of Matching Pendent Earrings, Carvin French, circa 1996 (Est. HK$3.8 - 5 million / US$490,000 - 640,000). Comprising 33 highly translucent jadeite “huaigus” - one of the most iconic forms in traditional Chinese jewellery - each centring on a cabochon ruby, the necklace is accompanied by pendent earrings each set with two jadeite “huaigus”. All the jadeite “huaigus” in the suite are well-matched, of warm saturated colour and fine translucency, radiating classic Chinese finesse.

JADEITE
This season’s jadeite offerings are led by a magnificent Jadeite Bead Necklace (Est. HK$30 - 35 million / US$3.8 - 4.5 million). Comprising 53 graduated fine natural jadeite beads of luscious translucency, imperial emerald green colour and great consistency, measuring approximately 12.36 to 9.92 mm, the necklace is further adorned with a stylized clasp set with rubies, sapphires and diamonds. Other jadeite treasures include a Pair of Jadeite “8” and Diamond Pendent Earrings (Est. HK$2.5 - 3 million / US$320,000 - 380,000). Of vivid emerald green colour and outstanding translucency, this pair of jadeite earrings is an auspicious symbol in traditional Chinese culture will bestow good fortune upon its wearer.

*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium